On the way to Paraguay: Alumni's Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award kicks off Technology and Pedagogy placement

David Dodick was initially connected to Universidad Columbia del Paraguay through his work as a Fulbright Specialist during the 2023-2024 academic year, leading the project “Strengthening of Teaching Through Educational Innovation.”

Selected as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for the 2024-2025 academic year, Dodick views this as an opportunity to take it further, to advance the "Building Bridges of Knowledge Through Teaching and Technology" project he established to address the needs discovered during that initial Specialist visit. This project begins on July 1.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers diverse opportunities for accomplished scholars and professionals to teach, conduct research, or pursue combined teaching and research awards internationally. Scholars like Dodick engage in cutting-edge research, expand their professional networks, and often continue research collaborations started during their time abroad, laying the groundwork for future partnerships between institutions.

During his three-week Fulbright Specialist visit to Universidad Columbia del Paraguay in 2023, Dodick identified significant gaps in pedagogy and technology integration.

“It felt natural to return and further the work we began,” said Dodick, who currently works at Stanford University. “I wanted to return because we had already identified these critical areas to address together, and I enjoyed collaborating with my colleagues,” he added.

Dodick brings extensive experience in teaching and technology integration. During his doctoral studies at OISE, he focused on teacher pedagogy accompanying new technology. He has also served as a sessional lecturer in the Digital Technologies in Education Emphasis in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching & Learning.

In his upcoming four-month stint, Dodick aims to bridge the gap between available classroom technology and the pedagogies employed by educators. He discovered these gaps while gathering information on existing technology-enhanced learning initiatives and assessing the preparedness of students, faculty, and administrators at Universidad Columbia del Paraguay.

“We're rapidly advancing in emerging technologies, but there's a significant pedagogical gap. Teachers need to understand how to effectively utilize these new technologies for enhanced learning and prepare students for the future workplace, while doing so safely, ethically, and equitably,” explained Dodick, who has also lectured at OISE on artificial intelligence in education.

Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished individuals the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research internationally. Fulbrighters exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and address complex global challenges. Notable Fulbrighters include 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows, 41 heads of state or government, and thousands of leaders across various sectors.

Dodick joins about 800 other U.S. citizens taking part this year and is honoured to receive Fulbright recognition once again.

In collaboration with his hosts, he plans to transform teaching practices and learning with technology, leading to better-prepared faculty and students, and serving as a model for pedagogical innovation across Paraguay's higher education system.

Having learned a great deal about Paraguayan life during his initial visit, Dodick continues to approach this trip with cultural humility. He aims to encourage more collaboration between faculty and students, fostering critical thinking and innovative solutions that enhance learning.

“We're collaborating to see what culturally fits well and how we can achieve our goals together," he said. "As an outsider, it's essential to approach this work with humility.”